Help - XC boots

[helenandshadow]

Ok, i'm only doing up to 3'3'' hunter trials and ODE's (hoping to do an Intro next year) and currently just use brushing boots for XC, and i was wondering whether i ought to get some XC boots.

I have looked at some different brands and like the look of (although not the prices!!

) Eskadron, Prolite and N.E.W. and also Woof which are a bit cheaper!

Do you think i need 'proper' XC boots? and do you have any experience of the above or can you recommend any others?

Thanks

 

[Hattikins]

well i have both fiddler and hatts in eskadron cross country boots and i cant rate them highly enough, easy to keep clean , do the job admirably - are tough and durable yet very smart - i love them to pieces.

having said that prolite and N.E.W. boots are fantastic too so its up to you

 

[Mel85]

I love Style XC boots - mine have been through the wash hundreds of times and they are still good as new!

They don't slip xc and are smart.

I would definitely use a boot with tendon protection - it's worth it!

 

[helenandshadow]

I have the eskadron tendon & fetlock boots which i love! but are the hind xc boots really long, cause they only do full size and the back boots look really long?

 

[Grey_Arab]

The girl I groom for uses woof double close brushing boots and they do the job fine and she does PN soon to be N level eventing, hope that helps I don't know much about the different types, just what I have seen used!!!

 

[LEC]

I have NEW on front and Premier Equine on Hind. Premier Equine are very good value at £20.
I have heard bad things about the Woof ones slipping.

 

[Grey_Arab]

Well, we've never found any problems with them(they are the double velcro ones so that may make a difference???), they are taped on as well, and he has done 10 events in them in varying weather conditions???

 

[helenandshadow]

Sorry another question- would xc boots in front and just brushing boots behind be ok?

 

[Mel85]

There is no tendon protection with brushing boots - if a horse strikes into itself there will be no protection and could do a lot of damage.

 

[Hattikins]

well we use front eskadron xc boots and back brushing boots on hatts and that works just fine at the moment, fiddler has short 15hh legs and they fit brilliantly - hope that helps Helen

 

[KatB]

Yes if your only going to use minimal, use XC boots in frot and brushing behind. I swear by my Prolite boots. Theyre tough, and stay in place even in heavy going, and the tendon guard is TOUGH! The anount of Pros that endorse them speaks volumes IMO. I like Style boots, but find they are a bit heavy, and the tendon guards arent always in the right place. They also rub if don't fit perfectly (experience from grooming on a yard that used them on everything) If you want fluffy linings, go for the N.E.W as they are light, and don't rub like the style ones.

Hope that helps!!

 

[Skhosu]

I personally don't have a problem with just brushing boots, but love my new boots! Sister also has those blue lined ones? REally hard fibreglas I think?

 

[Skhosu]

oh, new means NEW boots!

 

[wizzi901]

tendon boots at that height if nothing else, eskadron are pricey but they do last, had my SJ ones for years!! and good on a No.4 wash!!

Brushing boots on back should suffice.

IMHO I always like tendon boots on when jumping purely for protection of tendons rather than "support" necessarily.

 

[MagicMelon]

I think any horse could hurt itself on XC so believe all horses (especially the babies as they're more unbalanced) should have very good protection.

I use N.E.W lightweight XC boots which are brilliant. They never move, dont rub and seem very solid yet flexible. They also wash well and still look like new. The only thing I found is the full set fit my TB boy perfectly but the hind ones, because they have that funny longer bits on the inside - they are too long for my Welsh Cob. So it depends on your horses type, if he's chunky - go for a size smaller in the hinds.

 

[Nic]

I love my Prolites, don't soak up water and never slip or rub & offer fantastic protection. Can't rate them enough.

 

[BBs]

I used the NEW - very good, and last for ever! just stick them in the washing machine and if i you buy the little velcro brush you can brush up the fluff and it comes up like new

I wouldnt personally just use brushing boots behind, do to once my horse put his back foot back down in the ditch which smashed the protective panel in the NEW hind boots - this could have been his cannon bone

they basically saved his leg!!

I also like the Dalmar (sp) boots!

 

[Nic]

A friend has the Dalmar and they are quite short on his 17hh but otherwise very nice.

 

[samp]

Stlye XC boots are great, used to use when I worked at event yard. Unsure if you can still purchase them?

 

[AlexBomb]

N.E.W are really good, have a look at http://www.totally-tack.co.uk/acatalog/Exercise_boots_.html free postage too!

Alex

 

[RobinHood]

I can;t fault my prolites they are absolutely fantastic, but dalmars are brilliant for bolder horses because they are 100% unbreakable.

 

[helenandshadow]

Thank you everyone for your great help!

 

[eventingdiva]

I use the eskadron front and hind xc boots on mine and i think they're really good, offer loads of protection and clean up really well x

 

[4whitesocks]

Just ordered NEW front and hinds

 

[SpruceRI]

Am I the only person that finds the N.E.W boots (with the fluffy lining) just don't stay up? I've got a full set for one of mine and just the hinds for the other. The front boots seem to stay up mostly, but the hinds on both horses just will not, and slip right down to their hoof. I've tried fitting them tight, tighter and looser. I've even sewn elastic onto the straps of one pair - but still no difference. Taping them doesn't help either. Am thinking of shaving off the fluff to within an inch of it's life! Or giving up and chucking them. Wish I'd gone for the Premier Equine ones at a third of the price!!

 

[lillie07]

I have the NEW Airflow Sport XC Boots in front and NEW Lightweight Competition Boot behind and really rate them!! I had Prolite previous and really like them too. Heard WW boots slip as do the fleece lined NEW boots.

 

[KatB]

How do you find the new airflow ones? We got some, werent impressed by only having two straps on the front, and they just seemed flimsy....??